A study being conducted by the University of Liverpool and CVS has concluded that vets have wide-ranging perceptions of what constitutes a workplace injury, with some harms being seen as just ‘everyday norms’. 

Starting in 2022 ‘The context, consequence and prevention of veterinary workplace injuries: a qualitative and quantitative study in the UK’ study aims to explore the context, consequences and behaviours surrounding veterinary workplace injuries - to improve the safety of the profession.

The first phase of the research was a cross-sectional survey of 740 broadly representative veterinary professionals.

Initial analysis, published in Occupational Medicine1, explored how injuries and their context are perceived by veterinary profession. 

Themes identified during this phase of analysis were:

  • Injuries have become normalised, accepted and seen as everyday norms in veterinary practice - resulting in many not being reported;
  • Differences in how injuries were defined, with small animal vets expecting injuries to involve blood, and equine/farm vets expecting them to reduce their ability to work or require the need for medical treatment;
  • Equine and farm animal vets having a high threshold before acknowledging that an incident is a work-related injury. As such dangerous events, such as kicks, are seen as ‘everyday’ events and are not deemed an injury, and so will not be reported.
  • Many suggest all injuries should be reported, however minor injuries were often overlooked, for example needlestick injuries;
  • A large proportion of colleagues (especially vets) see reporting injuries as too onerous;
  • Injuries caused by staff themselves (e.g. trips) were less likely to be reported than injuries that could be blamed on an external factor (e.g. dog bite). 

CVS says the veterinary industry should take note of the discrepancy of perception of what constitutes work-related injury in its practices and reporting protocols.

Practices may need an individualised approach to minimise their workplace injuries: some may need to work on revisiting their ideas around acceptable risk, whilst others may be good at minimising work-related harm, but have a complex or blame-associated reporting system which needs to be simplified.

Dr. John Tulloch, Lecturer and European Specialist in Veterinary Public Health, at the University of Liverpool who is leading the research, said: “Injuries that occur within veterinary practice can tragically at times be life-changing and are often avoidable.

"The objectives of this study are to understand how veterinary professionals define injuries and to understand what injuries they do or do not deem reportable.

"The results of this stage of the research have been both startling and complex.

"They highlight a profession in drastic need of cultural change and personal attitudes, with respect to injury prevention and mitigation.”

Dr. Imogen Schofield, Director of Clinical Research at CVS, said: “Using these findings, we will be able to develop and strengthen injury prevention measures through safety policy, education, and training.

"We anticipate that this project will result in safer workplaces within the wider veterinary community and, indirectly, in improved animal treatment through a fitter, healthier and safer profession.”

CVS says the research will lead to the development of open access educational tools aimed at promoting injury awareness and prevention.

The tools will focus on understanding why reporting injuries is important, how to develop a culture of accountability without blame, and when to seek medical attention and take time off work.

They will also investigate how to encourage clients to be safety ambassadors, and how to empower colleagues in challenging situations regarding restraint, aggressive patients and equine safety.

In addition, they will look at improving cat handling via International Society of Feline Medicine training and Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation, facilitating a rise in usage of hard hats in equine, and raising awareness of the risks associated with sharps plus sharp bin provision.

Reference:

  1. T Furtado, M Whiting, I Schofield, R Jackson, J S P Tulloch, Pain, inconvenience and blame: defining work-related injuries in the veterinary workplace, Occupational Medicine, Volume 74, Issue 7, October 2024, Pages 501–507, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae068

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